Central defender Tommy Smith says the Blues would have taken 10 points from their first five games at the start of the season, despite being disappointed to go into the international break on the back of the season’s first defeat.

Even though the Seagulls - who are now top with Town down to third - ultimately went on to win 3-2, Smith was pleased that he and his team-mates came from two goals down to level at 2-2.

“It shows we've got great character to come back again - it's the third or fourth time this season we've come from behind,” he said. “It shows we've got the never-say-die attitude you need in this league.

“You're going to go behind in matches and it's how you react to that. You can't win every game.

“There's ups and downs in the Championship. I think if you'd have given us 10 points after the first five games we'd have taken that at the beginning of the season.

He added: “If you're a neutral watching that game you'd be really excited, obviously. We don't really like games like that - we prefer to be a lot more solid. It’s disappointing to go into the international break with a defeat.

“We had to make a couple of changes at half-time which worked getting us back to 2-2 and it was a real sucker punch they scored so quickly after that.”

Smith, who isn’t involved with New Zealand in the international break, says the Blues will “rest and regroup” during the two-week hiatus after a busy August.

Did he feel the Blues missed the injured Christophe Berra? Christophe is a very good player but I think we've got enough strength in depth to cope with that absence.”

The 25-year-old says the squad only met new signing Piotr Malarczyk, who made his debut as a half-time sub, on the day of the match: “We met him for the first time [on Saturday]. For him to come straight in shows the strength he's got.

"It must have been tough - new country, new league, and I thought he did well.

“We introduced ourselves before the game and had a little chat and at half-time we managed to have a chat to say what to expect from Brighton. I think he acquitted himself really well for his first appearance.

“He's not fluent in English but he's got the basics. I'm sure he'll be working really hard on that and adapting to life in a new country.

Does Smith speak any Polish? “Zero! Bart was helping him a lot. It's nice to have a compatriot alongside you when you're in a new country.”

The Academy product says he knows nothing of any further additions to the squad before the transfer window closes at 6pm on Tuesday.

“You'd have to ask the gaffer - we know as soon as the public do. There's work going on but until that's set in stone we don't know,” he said.

“His recruitment policy has been second to none and the scouting system behind it. They don't just scout players for their playing ability, they scout their characters as well.

“They find out about how they are as people and if they'd fit in with the squad that we've got. The additions we've made this season show just how good he is in the transfer market.

“They do their research and know they're going to be good characters. The majority of people he's brought in know someone in the squad already so it helps them to settle in.”

Photo: Action Images

coolcat added 13:55 - Sep 2 Really enjoyed the game despite the loss. Still a long, long way to go. Agree with TS the team showed great character in coming back. Emmanuel was targeted by Brighton it seemed as first 2 came from the right. A much stronger squad this with more options for cover than last season.
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